This is a guide to the collections of the St. Louis Museum as of the year 1859. It is an update to the earlier catalog of 1856. It includes an introduction by the museum's curator John Bates, statements on the Zeuglodon skeleton excavated by Albert C. Koch, the contents of 51 cases of stuffed birds and other animals, lists of statues and paintings, and other miscellaneous holdings. There is also a statement about the two Egyptian mummies on display previously owned by Joseph Smith of Nauvoo, Illinois.